Oakland: The A’s bats could not overcome an early disadvantage to lose to the Marlins, 12-3, in Sunday’s series finale at the Coliseum, ending their season-high six-game winning streak. This was the day after the offence erupted for 20 runs. Joe Boyle, the starter, was hurt in his lower back and left after just one inning, allowing four runs for Miami while walking three hitters and giving up a three-run home run to Nick Gordon. Boyle will have an MRI on Monday to find out how serious the injury is. Boyle, who threw 35 pitches (16 strikes), stated, “I felt it when I started pitching, and it got progressively worse as I went on, trying to grind through it.” “Obviously, just didn’t get the job done.” The A’s might have to assess their pitching depth for the first time this season. They only employed 13 pitchers in 2024 through Sunday’s game, sticking to the five-man rotation and eight-man bullpen the team established on Opening Day. Even with Boyle’s injury, Oakland has another fresh arm on the schedule. Oakland will designate a pitcher as the 27th man for Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Rangers, according to manager Mark Kotsay. Boyle was already one of the biggest unknowns in the A’s rotation before he left Sunday’s start. The 24-year-old right-hander occasionally shown the explosive qualities that helped him earn the fifth starting position following Spring Training. Boyle had an average fastball velocity of 96.7 mph going into Sunday, which placed him in the 92nd percentile of all Major League pitchers who were qualifying. In 27 2/3 innings, he has also struck out 29 batters, leading the A’s starters in strikeouts per nine with 9.43. Boyle has consistently struggled with command throughout his professional career. His 23 walks in 27 2/3 innings lead the American League and rank second overall (24 in 32 1/3 innings) to James Paxton of the Dodgers. In 16 innings (three starts) during his brief stay in the Majors in 2023, Boyle walked just five batters. However, in six of his seven starts in ’24, he has given out three or more free passes. “This start to the year hasn’t been what Joe’s probably wanted,” added Kotsay. “We have noticed a rise in walks and a possible problem with the fastball’s lack of command. Since we staff members haven’t been awarding free bases very often, it kind of sticks out right now.” In the event that Boyle is sidelined when his turn rolls around again, the A’s have a number of possibilities down on the farm who may be asked to start. Osvaldo Bido and Joey Estes, both right-handers, are already on the 40-man roster and have Major League experience. After agreeing to a Minor League contract with the A’s this past offseason, Bido has played in six games (five starts) for Triple-A Las Vegas, going 4-1 with a 2.59 ERA and striking out 39 against 13 walks. In 2023, he had 16 big league appearances (nine starts) with Pittsburgh, pitching 50 2/3 innings with a 5.86 ERA. Estes made his Major League debut in 2023 after being ranked as Oakland’s No. 11 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He gave up nine runs (eight earned) in two starts over 10 innings. With 26 strikeouts and 10 walks in his first six Triple-A outings of 24 thus far in ’24, he has a 6.04 ERA. If necessary, the A’s could also choose to have one of their bullpen arms open a game. While Muller had a rough first season with the organisation (8.10 ERA in 13 starts in 2023), Mitch Spence and Kyle Muller have both performed well in long-relief duties. Spence, the club’s No. 24 prospect and Oakland’s selection in the Rule 5 Draft from the previous offseason, relieved Boyle on Sunday. He set season highs in innings (4 2/3) and pitches (72) while giving up just four runs on six hits and one walk.According to Kotsay, Spence will undoubtedly be given the opportunity to start for Oakland if necessary. Having been a starter in the Minor Leagues, Spence is excited about the opportunity to start in the major leagues for the first time, but he also stated that his main goal is to be ready for the team whenever they need him.It’d be fantastic, Spence remarked. “I mean, the dream’s always been to start in the big leagues, so it’d be an awesome opportunity.”
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